How Bad Is the Fine for Not Getting Your Car Inspected in New York

Raise your hand if you have ever forgotten or just ignored getting your vehicle inspected in New York State. Good for you admitting it, and for those of you who didn't raise your hand, are you being honest?

Well, my hand was raised. I've not ignored it, but I have forgotten to periodically check my New York State inspection sticker until a month or maybe a couple of months passed by the expiration date. Oops. I'm good now. At least for the next couple of months.

How about you? Have you checked your New York State registration sticker lately, or know when it's time for that annual safety inspection? What if your inspection sticker has expired? Let's take a look at that fine if you get caught.

Read More: NYS Hunters Now To Receive Paper Licenses

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, if your inspection sticker has expired in the past 60 days, the fine could be anywhere from $25 to $50.

Over 60 days, that fine increased to between $50 and $100. If your vehicle's windshield is bare of any inspection sticker, expect to pay $50 to $100. Oh yeah,  a mandatory state surcharge of $88 ($93 in town and village courts) is added to the fine according to the NYS DMV.

And if your vehicle is parked, and has no inspection sticker visible, you are subject to a parking fine.

So, what happens if that darn inspection sticker (valid, of course) has come loose from your windshield?  The NYS DMV says to attach it to the windshield with clear tape or a small amount of clear adhesive.

If the sticker is no longer usable but still valid, your choices are to either have your vehicle re-inspected or just order a replacement sticker. For information on how to get that process started, click HERE.

The NYS DMV notes that emissions inspections are a part of a safety inspection with the following exceptions:

• motorcycles
• less than two model years old (model year is greater than or equal to calendar year minus one)
• more than 25 model years old (model year is less than or equal to calendar year minus 25 )
• diesel-powered, except diesel-powered vehicles that are 1997 or newer and that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVRW) less than 8,501 pounds
• electric-powered
• issued historical plates
• subject to the heavy vehicle safety inspection

For more information, visit the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles website. Now, if I can just remember to get my inspection appointment scheduled in the next two months...